Safety backflow valve for condenser systems



Nov. 4 1924.

' R. W. ALLERTON SAFETY BAGKFLOW VALVE FOR CONDENSER SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 22 1920 Patented Nov, 4, 1924;,

UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT W'. ALLEBTON, OF SOUTH ORANdZiE, NEVJ' ASSIGFEOR T0 WORTHING- TON PUMP ANII' IYIACE'III'JERY CGRPGRATZON. 0;? NEW YORK, N. '55., A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA,

SAFETY BACKFLOV] VALVE FOR CONDENSER SYSTEMS.

Application filed December 22, 1920.

To all whommay concern.

Be it known that I, Roi sn'r W, iimiicirrox, a citizen of the United States, residing at SouthOrang county of Essex, and fatate of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Backfiow Valves for Condenser Systems, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying draw ings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in back-flow valves for condenser systems.

It is the especial object of the present invention to provide improved automatic means for preventing the flooding of condensers provided with hydraulic vacuum pumps or cjectors, such means operating on stoppage or inefficient pump or ejector action, to shut off the condenser from back flow of the pump liquid and thus permit continuous operation of the condenser. The invention is especially applicable to high vacuum condensers in which the air and uncondensed vapors are taken ofi separately from the water of condensation, but is of general application in condenser systems.

It is a further object of the invention to so arrange such back-flow valve and its operating mechanism that the valve is normally Wholly or substantially outside of the air passage and will not, therefore, obstruct or choke such passage under normal operatingconditions, such valve obstructing the air passage only to shut off back-flow.

For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the same will now be given in connection with the accompanying draw ings, and the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a condenser system embodying the invention Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 of the back tlow valve and its operating mechanism, and

Figure 3 is a similar View looking to the right in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l, the letter A i cates a condenser of the surface type provided with. the usual hot-well l3 and condensate pump Serial No, 432,419.

C and connections therefor; D indicates the air and uncondensed vapor connection between the condenser and a hydraulic vacuum pump indicated generally by the letter E, and F is the cen rifugal circulating pump therefor delivering through nozzle H to supply tank I provided with vent pipe 1. The general system indicated is the same as shown and described in Letters l atent No. 1,255,869, dated February 12, 1918, and the hydraulic pump that of Letters Patent No. 1,031,13, dated July 2, 1912, but it will be understood that the invention may be applied. in connection with other systems and hydraulic pumps or ejectors of other types.

In order to prevent flooding of the condenser Ei, by back-flow of the pump liquid thereto, which may result from various causes, such as pump trouble or shortage of pressure water, I interpose in the connection D between the condenser A and the hydraulic air discharge pump E, an automatic shut-off or back-flow valve 10 (Fig. mounted in a suitable casing 11, such valve being hinged in the casing by pivot rod 12 and cooperating with trip mechanism by which it is held open uncer normal working conditions, such trip mechanism comprising an L-shaped latch piece pivoted on bracket 15 in the valve cas ng and having arms 13, 13, one arm 13 being so shaped as to engage the edge of the valve 10 and hold it open, and the other arm 13' being connected by link 17 to a lever 19 pivoted on a bracket 21 within the valve casing. The longer end of the rocking lever 19 carries a ball-float 1. It has been found preferable to allow a small quantity of water to remain in the casing 11 so as to hold the ball-float slightly elevated, any lessening of such water by evaporation merely tending to hold the latch arm 13 more firmly in contact with the valve 10.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when any condition arises tending to impair the efficiency of the hydraulic air pump, any back-flow of pump liquid will first flow into the valve casing 11, thereby raising the ball-float 1 and, through the connections above described, the latch 13 will be released from engagement with; the valve 10 and the latter will dropby' gravity to its seat, as shown in dotted lines in Fig,

,dle 2 outside the valve casing on the rod 3, where it will be held by the excess presthe screw plug 5 is removed and the water in the valve casing allowed to drain oil to the level of the plug and the ball-float 1 drops to its lowermost position. The *revx plug 5 is then replaced and handle 2 force-Cl upward, carrying with it the valve 10 until the latter passes the latch arm 13 so to beheld thereby.

It will he understood that various changes may he made in the construction shown 'l described within the scope of the clai is, and that, while the invention has been sho I and described in connection with the air discharge system of a surface condenser: it may be. used with advantage inv jet condensers and in other relations Where such back-flow valves are applicable.

What is claimed is:

1.. The combination with QCOlNlQHSQl' tein having av hydraulic air discharge pump of the like, of a valve normally permitting free flow of air and vapor through the connection from the condenser to said pump, and means for automatically closing said valve to prevent back-flow of liquid to the condenser.

2. The combination with a condenser system having a. hydraulic air discharge puinp he like, of a valve norn'ially permitting i few of air and vapor through the connection from the condenser to said pninp,

" controlled by hack-flow of liquid insaid connection for the valve. 4 i 2. 2;. The connnnahon u. 1 conde ser sysg hydra to air cuscha 5; pin 1 1 l L; a el normally pc nntung i M c J +1 an and vapci tnlon n the 1 t l, N," 2,1 enitne condenser to StLiU.

"* lled means for closing e v .:1 i ll 2- do oi nap ilqllia in oLlC-ll lvitn a condeneei s an aunt an discharge pulnp ()1 n the connection ber n 1 1 1' L' \'\,\,J 1 A Min U 1 i 115i anon it ,1 v 7. v -v 1' 1' L c c i 011. Wen-flow ot liquid in mid p I a, on with a condenser tern inc discharge pump 61' neat cn be ill the con- I- x -A l I nee: tne COlltlhlmtl and d it controlling the connectioi'i, a

and a float and connections for tripping said latch to allow said valve to close by gravity on back flow of liquid to said float chamber.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand.

latch tor norma ly holding id valve open.

' ROBERT W. ALLERTON. 

